Geoff Swaim Bio
Geoff Swaim, born on September 16, 1993, in Chico, California, is an American professional football tight end. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and entered the National Football League (NFL) when he was selected in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Over the course of his professional career, Swaim has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and the Cleveland Browns, demonstrating versatility and a steady presence at the tight end position.
Early Life and Background
Geoff Swaim grew up in Chico, California, where he attended Pleasant Valley High School. At Pleasant Valley, he was a two-sport athlete, playing both football and basketball. As a senior, he lined up at linebacker and earned All-Section and All-League honors after posting 124 tackles, 65 of which were solo, along with six sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and two blocked extra points. His high school production suggested a player with toughness and instincts, even though his ultimate NFL position would be different from the one he played in high school.
Following his time at Pleasant Valley, Swaim began his college career at Butte College, a community college in California. There, the coaching staff converted him from linebacker to tight end, a switch that would shape his professional future. He became a two-year starter for Butte and helped the program capture back-to-back bowl victories, while also contributing to the team’s 2012 NorCal Conference Championship. After his sophomore season at Butte, Swaim transferred to the University of Texas to play for the Texas Longhorns.
Path to American Football
At the University of Texas, Swaim quickly established himself as a contributor, starting 22 of the 26 games he appeared in over two seasons. He was used primarily as a blocking tight end and on special teams, recording 13 receptions for 84 yards and one touchdown during his time in Austin. His development as a reliable blocker and dependable target caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he entered the 2015 NFL Draft as a seventh-round prospect.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Swaim with the 246th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was the 17th tight end taken in that draft class. The Cowboys were so committed to keeping him in their organization that they traded a sixth-round pick the following year, in part to ensure they could draft him before he signed elsewhere as an undrafted free agent. His pre-draft projection and post-draft fit with Dallas launched his professional career.
Geoff Swaim Career
Dallas Cowboys Era (2015–2018)
Swaim joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 and played well enough during the preseason to convince the team to keep four tight ends on its roster, an unusual roster decision. As a rookie, he was declared inactive for 12 games but saw action in four, including one start against the New England Patriots when he filled in for an injured James Hanna in a three-tight-end set. By his second season, he had become the primary backup at the position and started the opener against the New York Giants as the second tight end. He finished his second year with six receptions for 69 yards across nine games and six starts.
Swaim’s role continued to grow, but injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress. He missed part of the 2017 offseason with a foot fracture and was later declared inactive with a knee injury. That same season, the sudden retirements of Jason Witten and James Hanna created an opportunity, and Swaim entered 2018 as the Cowboys’ starting tight end. During a Week 3 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded a then career-high five receptions for 47 yards, and the following week against the Detroit Lions he caught his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard pass from Dak Prescott. He finished 2018 with 26 receptions for 242 yards and a touchdown in nine games before a broken wrist ended his season and, ultimately, his time in Dallas.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)
On March 15, 2019, Swaim signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was expected to back up James O’Shaughnessy. He appeared in just six games with two starts, finishing the year with 13 receptions for 65 yards. An ankle injury and a concussion landed him on injured reserve in late October, and he was released by the team on March 17, 2020. His single season in Jacksonville was a brief and injury-marred chapter in his career.
Tennessee Titans (2020–2022)
Swaim signed with the Tennessee Titans on August 19, 2020, to compete for the blocking tight end role. A COVID-19 outbreak early in the season opened a path to playing time, and he started against the Buffalo Bills two weeks later. In Week 13 of 2020, he caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill in a road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished that season with nine receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown across 10 games with eight starts, logging the second-most snaps among Titans tight ends.
Swaim re-signed with the Titans in 2021 and was named the team’s starting tight end following the departure of Jonnu Smith in free agency. That season produced his most productive NFL campaign, as he recorded 31 receptions for 210 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in 16 starts. He signed a one-year extension in March 2022, but his role shifted back toward blocking, finishing the year with 12 receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown across 17 games and 13 starts.
Arizona Cardinals (2023)
On July 25, 2023, Swaim signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. He appeared in 14 games and made eight starts, finishing the season with 10 receptions for 94 yards. A calf injury suffered during a Week 15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers forced him off the field on a cart and led to a trip to injured reserve three days later, ending his Cardinals tenure.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–Present)
On September 11, 2024, Swaim was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on October 9. He appeared in eight games and made two starts, finishing the year with one reception for seven yards. A concussion sustained on November 30 placed him on injured reserve and brought a close to his 2024 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his NFL career, Swaim has been recognized primarily for his blocking ability, route reliability, and special-teams effort. He has typically been deployed as an in-line tight end who can also contribute as a short-yardage and chain-moving receiver. His willingness to do the unglamorous work at the line of scrimmage has kept him employed across multiple coaching staffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Swaim’s first NFL touchdown came on a one-yard reception from Dak Prescott in 2018, and he went on to post his career-best year in 2021 with the Titans, when he set personal bests in receptions (31), receiving yards (210), and touchdowns (3). His career has also been defined by persistence, as he has bounced back from injuries and roster changes to remain active in the league for a full decade.
Geoff Swaim Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Geoff Swaim has appeared in more than 100 games for five different franchises. Through the 2024 season, he has recorded 111 receptions for 853 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, per official NFL statistics.
NFL Highlights
Swaim’s most productive season came in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans, when he started all 16 games and posted career highs in receptions (31), receiving yards (210), and touchdowns (3). He also enjoyed a strong 2018 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys, when he caught 26 passes for 242 yards and a score in nine games as the team’s starting tight end.
Other Performances
In college, Swaim helped Butte College win back-to-back bowl games and the 2012 NorCal Conference Championship. At the University of Texas, he was a two-year starter and finished with 13 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown across 26 games.
Geoff Swaim Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs in the Swaim family. Geoff’s brother, Mycal Swaim, was a defensive back who appeared on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2014 preseason roster after playing NCAA football at Eastern Michigan University.
Personal Life
Geoff Swaim is married to his high school sweetheart, Lauren Miller. The couple’s relationship dates back to their time at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Geoff Swaim remains with the Cleveland Browns organization after concluding his 2024 campaign on injured reserve with a concussion. His experience and blocking ability should give him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and a role in the tight end rotation during training camp. With a full offseason of recovery, Swaim will look to rebound from a year in which he played in only eight games.
The Browns’ tight end room has featured a mix of veterans and developing players, and Swaim’s familiarity with multiple offensive systems from his time in Dallas and Tennessee could be a valuable asset. If he can stay healthy, he has a realistic chance to contribute as both a blocker and a situational pass catcher, while also playing a role on special teams. His 10 years of NFL experience provide a steady veteran presence for a roster that continues to evolve.